Dying of dignity (Part 2) – David danced

I wonder why we believers can be so self-conscious about expressing emotion in our relationship with the Lord? Unless we are emotionally crippled, we’re not self-conscious about expressing emotion in our important human relationships. We’re usually not self-conscious about expressing emotion at funerals or weddings or other significant events in our lives. And we’re sure not self-conscious about expressing emotion at a sporting event.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the man God used to compose the majority of Israel’s songbook (described as a man after God’s own heart) was so passionately expressive in his own worship.

And David danced before the Lord with all his might… And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” And David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord—and I will make merry before the Lord. I will make myself yet more contemptible than this. (1 Samuel 14a, 20-22a)

“Unless we are emotionally crippled, we’re not self-conscious about expressing emotion in our important human relationships.” Yes, I’m not embarassed to be seen with my husband, and identified with him publicly as his wife and lover, but I limit myself to holding hands and occasional tiny kiss in a public setting. The most phyiscal expressions of our love are entirely private.

There is no reference made to dancing in the NT, not that that necessarily forbids it (nor would I); but it is clearly not recommended or emphasized in any way. I’ve seen folks, on rare occasion, dance to the glory of God, even a Christian ballet troupe once. I’ve seen folks dance inappropriately, to the distraction of everyone and the glorification of their own spirituality.

I guess the guideline for such things, if permitted, is that everything be done decently and in order.

Aloha,
I was just wondering around blog country and could not pass up this thanksgiving to say have a good one. And be encouraged today. I am however looking for a good post to post on my blog for the month of december. Stop by and see if you would want to come on board at drunkdreamer8.com or mommy roars
Be blessed
C. Apana

“There is no reference made to dancing in the NT…” True (although there are arguably even more demonstrative expressions of worship in the NT). My point, however, is not that we must dance, but that we must be unreserved (even, like David, “contemptible” and “undignified”) in the expression of our gratitude and joy. Anything less is unworthy of God.

This has been an awesome topic for meditation and discussion. I read this post, and commented before heading off to work this morning. I pondered the subject off and on all day as I listened to a series of lectures on Ethics and C.S. Lewis from Reformed Theological Seminary. I think it’s really good for us reformed folk to give a listen to Lewis on this matter. We might be more acception of a greater variety of expressions of worship.

Lewis talks about how we naturally praise what we find praiseworthy (like the hollering at sporting events you mentioned). And that our admiration of what we find praiseworthy is not complete until we express it in some form of outward praise. I’m not a person to holler much, or jump up and down, or dance for joy, for any reason. I just don’t really respond that way. But I do worship. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked my husband to stop laughing at me during private moments. It took over a year of marriage before I finally believed what he kept saying is true: “I’m not laughing at you; I’m just happy”. He laughs for sheer joy! What a concept. I only laugh when something is really funny. So, different people express emotions differently, for any number of reasons. So, how do I worship? I worship with my mouth, with spoken words; and with my hands, in written words, by what I talk and write about, by what. Speech is my primary manner of praise. I do sing, because Scripture instructs me to; but when my heart is bursting with joy what pours from me is speech, words of praise, sometimes accompanied by smiles, sometimes by tears. (I will admit, however, to a strong and frequent desire to raise my hands in worship, which I stifle because I’d be the only one in the room with upraised hands and do not want to draw undue attention to myself. I’m still not sure how to resolve that.)

So, David was a musician and psalmwriter. He praised with musical instruments, song, and dance. The Psalms actually command the worship of God with musical instruments, but I don’t find anyone handing them out at the entrance to the church. No, muscial people worship with music, and we join in their worship through the enjoyement of it – at least I know I do. So I should understand and be thankful for those who want to dance, sing, and make music before the Lord. And, hopefully, those who worship that way will not look down at those who can’t stop talking about our amazing God, or delving into doctrine to absorb the riches and beauty to be found there.

All that to say, great topic. It’s worth grappling with. I feel richer for it already. Praise the Lord!

Thanks so much for sharing your heart and your thoughts. You’ve added a great deal to the discussion.

It’s funny that you should mention C.S. Lewis’ comment on praise. I was thinking about trying to work that into this series at some point. You’ve taken care of that for me, and I’m grateful!

I agree with your thoughts about diverse individual expressions of worship. I’m not so much encouraging uniformity of expression as I am urging all of us, myself included, to be like David and throw off the fear and pride and self-consciousness that prevents us from lavishing our praise on the One who is worthy of more adoration than we know how to give.

(That said, though, I would encourage you to go ahead and raise those hands. The same Scripture that instructs you to sing instructs you to lift hands!) 🙂

Thanks again, all of you, for participating in this discussion. You’ve all encouraged me.